Since its legalization in 2019, Illinois sports betting has been rapidly growing. The first sportsbooks in the state started operating in 2020. Other sportsbooks followed suit with different sports markets coming into light. Today, anyone inside the Illinois state lines can bet on sports. Below are some things you should know about Illinois sports betting.

Can you legally bet on online sports in Illinois?

Yes, you can legally bet on sports online in Illinois. You have to be within the state lines, though. You also have to meet the federal eligibility age of 21 years for betting. There are no recognized Illinois sports betting locations outside the state. So you cannot continue playing as a registered Illinois bettor if you travel out of the state.

Best sports betting sites in Illinois

There are some very popular sportsbooks in Illinois. They offer a wide variety of games for bettors to choose from. In addition, they have high odds that they will give you some large rewards if you happen to win. The sportsbooks also offer live games which are interesting to play. Lovers of e-sports will also readily find them in some of the sportsbooks.

Illinois online sports betting operates because each sports app must partner with a land-based casino. The casino then acts as the physical point of reference for the casino. Below are the best sportsbooks in the state and their partner casinos.

Tipico Illinois

Tipico is a sports betting site that has been around since 2002. It was one of the first sites to offer real money betting in Illinois and is one of the most popular. They have a license from the Malta Gaming Authority.

The site offers wagering, including sports, casinos, and poker. You can also place wagers on other events like politics or entertainment.

Tipico offers odds on all major sporting events, including horse racing, boxing, and golf. The site also offers live streaming to watch your favorite teams compete online.

The website is easy to navigate and offers a wide variety of betting options at competitive prices. The website has been translated into many different languages, making it easy for people from all over the world to place wagers on their favorite teams or players.

Unibet Illinois

Unibet is one of the biggest and most popular online sports betting sites globally. The site offers a wide variety of sports to bet on, including American football, basketball, baseball, hockey, etc.

Unibet offers a variety of deposit methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. You can also use your mobile device to make deposits at any time with no restrictions on how much money you can deposit. In addition to this, there are many different withdrawal options available, including credit cards and e-wallets, and bank transfers.

Caesars Illinois

Caesars is a sports betting site that offers the widest variety of sports betting options in Illinois. Caesars offers many different types of bets and odds on every major sport. Caesars is one of the most popular gambling sites in the United States, making it easy for people from all over the country to get started with their online casinos.

Caesars offers its customers a wide variety of games, including slots, table games, and video poker. The site also has a mobile gaming app that you can use to play your favorite games wherever you are.

The site is easy to navigate and offers great customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Caesars also offers promotions to both new and existing players, including bonuses, free spins, etc.

DraftKings Illinois

Illinois sports betting is possible at DraftKings. The site is licensed by the state and offers a wide range of sports betting options.

DraftKings Sportsbook offers a wide variety of betting options, including parlays, money lines, and futures. The one game that stands out is the daily fantasy sports option. This allows you to play for free or play with real money.

The site has been fully optimized for mobile devices, so you can easily place wagers from anywhere in Illinois.

BetRivers Illinois

BetRivers is one of the most popular sportsbooks in Illinois. They offer a wide selection of betting markets, competitive odds, and excellent customer service.

The site is easy to use and has popular features. You can place bets on all major sports events, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL games. In addition, to live betting options, BetRivers also offers in-play wagering on events that have already started.

BetRivers offers plenty of promotions to keep their customers happy. There are frequent reload bonuses and sign up bonuses available for new players and ongoing weekly promotions with big payouts available for winners. The site also has an active Facebook page where they post updates on new promotions and specials, so you always know what’s going on at BetRivers Illinois.

PointsBet Illinois

Illinois residents can play at PointsBet. PointsBet is a sportsbook and casino site that offers a wide range of betting options. This site has it covered from sports betting to casino games and even poker. The most popular forms of gambling include horse racing, football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and more.

PointsBet’s primary strength is its extensive range of betting options. There are over 800 markets available across all sports, with new ones being added regularly. This can be overwhelming for novices but will please experienced punters who want to bet on every possible outcome in each game.

In addition to its extensive range of markets and odds, PointsBet offers some unique features that set it apart from other sites in the industry. For example, you can unlock additional payouts by making multiple bets on one game or by using an accumulator system that lets you place multiple bets on multiple outcomes within a single game to get higher winnings should any of them come up correct.

FanDuel Illinois

FanDuel Illinois is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the state, with a good amount of action on football, basketball, and baseball. The site offers an easy-to-navigate interface and excellent customer service.

FanDuel Illinois is one of the top online sports betting sites in Illinois. The site has a nice selection of games from every major sport and many betting options. FanDuel Illinois also has an excellent mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

FanDuel Illinois has been around for years, so you know that they’re a trusted brand. The only drawback to this site is that it doesn’t offer live betting, but it does have some of the best sports odds available anywhere online.

BetMGM Illinois

BetMGM is a sportsbook that offers its services online. The site is owned by MGM Resorts International, the same company that owns the MGM Grand hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company also owns other popular casinos, such as Bellagio and Mandalay Bay, so it’s no surprise that BetMGM has a reputation for being one of the most trusted online sportsbooks in the industry.

BetMGM offers a wide range of betting options on all major sporting events, including NFL football, basketball, and baseball games; college football games; NASCAR races; golf tournaments; tennis matches; boxing matches; golf tournaments; soccer matches; and much more. The site also has an excellent live betting platform where you can place bets while watching your favorite teams compete live on TV or streaming video feeds.

Latest updates for online sports betting in Illinois

The Illinois legislature passed a massive capital bill that included an amendment to the state’s gambling law. The new language allows for the state lottery to offer online sports betting and online casino games and poker.

The amendment was introduced by Representative David Harris (D-Chicago) and has been under consideration since February. The proposal passed by a vote of 110-4 on June 3 and was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 28.

The new law is expected to take effect on January 1, 2020, but it’s important to note that there are still several steps left before sports betting becomes legal in Illinois.

The first step will be for the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to submit regulations for public comment before they’re implemented. The IGB then must approve licenses for operators and individual venues before they can begin offering sports betting services in Illinois casinos and racetracks.

A history of online sports betting in IL

The history of sports betting in Illinois is short. However, the state has been working on legislation to legalize and regulate it for several years.

The most recent legislative effort to legalize and regulate sports betting in Illinois began in 2017 when a bill was introduced in the state Senate. The bill proposed legalization of sports betting at casinos in Chicago and Rockford and racetracks at Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course.

The bill passed the Senate but floundered in the House after opposition from religious groups claiming that it would be a form of gambling. Supporters argued that there was no difference between betting on horse racing and betting on football games. They also pointed out that if you can bet on games at casinos in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, why shouldn’t you be able to do so at home?

In 2018, another bill came into the public. The bill sought to expand poker rooms at Rivers Casino & Resort in Des Plaines and Harrah’s Joliet Casino. This was into full-fledged sportsbooks where residents could place bets on all kinds of sporting events.

In 2019, history was made in Illinois when the laws passed regarding sports betting. It was signed into law on July 12th, 2019, thus making Illinois the 11th state to do so.

The law took effect on August 15th, 2019, and allows residents to place bets on sports at licensed gaming establishments throughout the state. Illinois residents can also bet on live events through mobile betting apps or websites provided by offshore operators.

In June 2020, the first sportsbook, BetRivers, launched in the state while allowing different sports markets. Other sportsbooks followed suit in opening sports betting sites.

Retail sports betting locations in Illinois

There are several retail sports betting locations in Illinois. The most notable is the Hollywood Casino in Chicago. Though it’s not technically a casino, it offers table games and slot machines. It also allows sports betting on its premises.

The Hollywood Casino also has a restaurant that serves food 24 hours a day. Another unique aspect of the casino is that you can bet on sports after midnight if you want to.

There are many other retail sports betting locations in Illinois, too. You can find them at racetracks and horse tracks throughout the state. They include Arlington Park, Hawthorne Race Course, Balmoral Park and mny more.

Do I pay taxes on winnings from sports betting in Illinois?

As with other forms of gambling, you’ll have to pay taxes on your winnings in Illinois. The state also has its website dedicated to sports betting information, including how to pay your taxes. Here’s how to do it:

Get an account at an online sports betting site in Illinois. You can use any licensed sportsbook in the state, but some are more popular than others. Check out our online betting site reviews to find one that works for you.

Deposit into your new account using a credit card or another method of payment accepted by the site. These funds will be used as collateral for your wagers and tax payments.

Place bets on sports events during the year (except during NFL season). Your winnings will be automatically added to your balance within 24 hours after placing a bet, so keep an eye out for them.

When you’re ready to cash out, contact customer support so they can help process your withdrawal request. They’ll need some personal information about you before sending money over — make sure it’s correct.

FAQ

Can I bet on sports in IL if I’m under 21?

Yes, you can bet on sports in Illinois if you’re under 21. The minimum age to gamble in the state is 18 years old. However, with an online casino or poker site, users must be 21 years old to be eligible to play real money games online.

Who oversees sports betting in Illinois?

The Illinois Gaming Board oversees all aspects of sports betting in Illinois. The board has the power to issue licenses, set regulations, and approve sites where it can offer sports betting. The board has overseen sports betting in Illinois since its inception.

Can I bet on sports teams from Illinois online?

Yes, you can bet on sports teams from Illinois online. Many different websites will allow you to place a wager on the sports teams in Illinois. However, there are some restrictions and regulations that apply. For example, if you are located in Illinois, you will not be able to bet on out-of-state teams or events.